I missed my blog birthday! (Or, a mixed bag)

Hello folks, I'm back (again) too many things going on in real life at the moment, most days I'm trying hard to be organised ;o)

Well, my three years blog birthday WAS on the 20th January and I missed it....never mind eh?

I've been trying to sort out things with and for my Mom and her memory problems and worsening depression. We've seen the doctor and he's been absolutely fantastic and reassuring for us both.  (I went on my own first to tell him what had been happening as it's difficult to be completely honest when she's there), and then took Mom back on the same day for her appointment.  He knew what questions to ask, and when she got a little tearful he asked if I could answer on her behalf, bless him.  Referrals and appointments have been made for the 'Memory Service' to interview Mom at her home to diagnose and suggest how they can help, her anti-depressant medication has been upped and he is also recommending some counselling which will be arranged once the Memory Service have had their interview.  Today I've taken Mom to have some bloods taken for further assessment in case there is any underlying problems.  Initially Mom seemed please that the ball was rolling, but of course that's all very changeable along with her moods...We discussed sorting out a home help over Christmas and that was okay at the time, but when I bought up the subject again last week she hit the roof and wouldn't discuss it - I'll have to bide my time again it seems.

Anyway, that's enough of that.

I have of course found time to dally a while in the charity shop, and though I've mostly been buying books (I'm an avid reader) I've been 'trying' NOT to get carried away with purchases.  Of course, by now you know I'm a sucker for blue and white!  When I visited last Thursday my eyes were drawn to this gorgeous Wedgwood underglazed pearlware 'Fallow Deer' decoration tray 

18" x 10".

It was a hefty £12.50 but I loved it SO much :o)

The original pattern was used by the Rogers Pottery from Longton, Stoke on Trent sometime during it's 1784-1842 lifetime.  The pattern was taken up by Josiah Wedgwood in the late 19th century.  According to the impressed 'Wedgwood' mark it was produced sometime between 1909 and 1928.  It's sitting happily on my dresser now.

As you probably know we cancelled Christmas, no decorations and no tree, so I thought I'd brighten up a corner for Valentines Day this year.   So earlier this afternoon I dug out all my 

 heart shaped baubles and pretty little birds and did this...

It stands around 2.5 feet in total.  Hubs has come home and not even noticed it!

And finally...

I've been trying (in vein) to photograph a rare visitor to my garden, the amazingly beautiful Goldfinch.  We visited my Sister in law the other weekend and what was on her feeders?  Yes, glorious Goldfinches!  I got some snaps of those instead :o) Though I'm still trying to get them at home!

That's it for now.  

Best wishes to all

New Treasures.

Hello Folks. 

 I hit a bit of a blog wall so haven't posted for a few weeks again - thank you for your patience.

Hello and welcome to my newest follower :o)

To catch up, I still have the hedgehogs visiting, but now there is one this years juvenile that's about half the size of the adults.  The little blighter is certainly camera shy, I've only managed to get a couple of snaps.

You can see how tiny it is :o)

A couple of weeks ago we had a calamity with the pond.  The pump stopped overnight and I lost three of the four lovely silver orf that we've had for around nine years.  The decision was made to clean out the pond.  We were taking it in turns to do this awfully dirty job, it was so hot and humid.  Hubs took a break on the bench and saw something moving in the border, it was one of our little field mice.  We placed some sunflower hearts down by the hole and it kept popping in and out getting food, a welcome break watching the little soul :o)

 (Sorry, no new photo's of mousie this time, this one was taken months ago.)

We also made the decision to have a larger pond - the one we have is very small!  As neither of us can face digging out the hole we have a builder coming this week to give us quote - fingers crossed it'll be reasonable?  (We already have the preformed 6' X 4' liner.)

This weekend the 'V' festival has been on At Weston Park, just about 8 miles as the crow flies.  It's on as I type, the noise has been awful all weekend.  The base has been booming ALL day, and frankly I am a little tired of it!  Sorry - moan over.. I must be getting old!  (Goodness knows how loud it must be there?)

The other day we went out, and as we were driving down one of our local lanes we happened upon these two beauties.

They were huge!  We have no idea where they'd appeared from as there

are no farms or houses anywhere near.  I so wished I had room for them at home...

If anyone out there know which breed they are I'm very curious, I thought at first they were marans, but the tails seemed too fluffy and the legs are bright yellow.

They were a little skittish, so these photos were taken about 40 feet away.

Okey dokey, down to the good stuff!  I have of course been treasure hunting, here's a selection of the latest.

First up, this Wedgwood Jasper ware vase, 8" tall.  A very reasonable £7.50

An OLD Spode Blue Italian bowl, 9.5" Diameter

Marked, hence the £2 price ticket.  Fine for display or Potpourri though.

Some of you may remember I found one of these Gosport Pottery biscuit/butter stamps before, this was also in its own wooden box.

£1 :o)

This sweet button heart,in it's 7.5" square frame was £2 

is now hanging in our bedroom :o)

Two tiny cast iron birds in their own little tin £1, they are now residing on the dresser.

Couldn't believe my luck with this Merrythoughts teddy 10" tall £5.

All he needs now is a smart ribbon bow.

This 6.5" vase is much nicer in real life.  An unexpected lucky find for £1.25

After closer inspection when I got home at the sticker on the base...

I discovered it was also signed - Royal Brierley Studio Glass.

(on the left hand side of the photo)

I was surprised to find these for £2

A BIG bag of buttons.  Some of you will understand!

I was also delighted to happen upon this..

Ideal as a cutlery box, 13" x 8.5" x 5"

£3  I love the flowers.

As you know I'm crazy about cats, so when I saw this Peter Fagan wall of singing cats for £1 I just couldn't resist.

3" x 2.75"

Then I saw these jewel encrusted enamelled photo frames, even though they're modern I thought they were so pretty, just the thing for photos of ancestors.

Two of them are 6" x 4" and the other is 4"x 4"

All for £2.75

This 3" high enamelled Scottie dog trinket box for £1

Two large tablecloths (sorry, I didn't iron them)

Blue and White Damask £3

and a beautiful hand embroidered floral one

Also £3

And finally, I quite like naive paintings of cottages, I found this one for £4

A slightly 'wonky' Keepers Cottage, that now hangs in the dining room below the other naive cottage garden painting.

Signing off, wishing you all well.

Hopefully I'll be posting on a more regular basis again.

Very best wishes to all

A dirty secret, a disappointment, and other stuff........

I'm afraid I've been a bad little gardener...I had a dirty secret.....I had bulbs that I didn't get around to planting in the Autumn - I bet you're shocked! 

All sprouting, not planted :o(

I hang my head in shame...

But, I'm pleased to say that FINALLY they're all tucked up in warm, moist soil in the garden, ready to pop through and make a glorious display - though it'll probably be in June LOL!

(It's been such a wonderful warm, sunny day that I could not put off the planting any longer.)

I purchased two large RED Amaryllis flower bulbs before Christmas, and I DID plant them up ;o) but I'm sorely disappointed with them as glorious as they may be.............

  They are WHITE!

There's just no pleasing some folk is there?

I found a few things this week too :o)

A lovely Wedgwood pot, 4" high and 5" diameter, in perfect condition at the perfect price of £3.  I was amazed at this as they're normally much more expensive.

A perfect Masons Mandalay pattern clock, standing 6" tall.  (I've just realised that the face was sightly off centre, now remedied.)

This has been in our 'expensive' charity shop for over a week, and each time I picked it up I looked at the tag and put it down again.  Then, on Friday I went in again thinking if it's still there I'm going to buy it - and there it was.  I feel I must have had a blow to the head as I payed £25 for it.  Still probably quite cheap, but much more than I usually splash out!  I realise must have a 'thing' for clocks, from where I sit I can clearly view eight of them.....

I also love books, no Kindle in this house I like the real thing I'm afraid.  Here's a brilliant one I found a few weeks ago and forgot to post.

A large, fascinating country book containing recipes, remedies, information on livestock, gardening, sewing, spinning, cats, dogs, beekeeping and much, much more. £2

I'd love to keep bees, but as hubby has an extreme allergy to stings it's just not going to happen, still I can dream :o)

National Trust Fruit & vegetable cookery, lots of olde lore too £1

The cover says it all, looking forward to reading it. £1.

And Finally folks....

Yards of voile for £2.50.  I already have this against my bathroom window and I love it, but it's so old that the gold pattern is fading badly - now I can replace it :o)

Hope you've had fun reading my dirty secret ;o)

Thank you to all those who read my last post and removed the dreaded Word Verification from their comments :o)

Have a great week, best wishes to all.